What is the one politically incorrect three-letter word that so many humans make every effort to avoid using at all cost?
Sin…
Jesus told us all to “judge not lest we be judged” and to cast the log out of our own eye before attempting to remove the splinter from our brother’s eye. Sinners judging sinners brings destructive results (Matthew 7:1-3).
Sinners have no moral right to cast stones at other sinners.
Does that mean sin should be condoned? Not at all; however, hating the sin but loving the sinner is the only way to avoid hypocrisy since we all have sinned and fallen short of God’s Glory (Romans 3:23).
Whole families have been torn apart as a result of judging and unforgiveness, and many an innocent man has been convicted.
Our Loving Creator, whose love and mercy know no bounds, is willing and able to forgive each and every one of our sins if we ask Him to in a spirit of repentance.
Since each and every human has committed sins numbering in the thousands, how hypocritical are we to adopt a stance of self-righteousness and presume to play the part of the hanging judge toward other sinners?
How easy is it for a human to say these words or at least to have this thought when we feel the least bit violated? — “To Hell with him or her or them.”
Only the sinless would be qualified to make such a judgment affecting a person’s eternal destiny, and that disqualifies all humans who have ever lived or are living and breathing right this minute. Such matters of judgment should be left to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Discernment and making life–affecting decisions based on the sinful actions of others is one thing. Throwing stones and cursing a person to Hell are quite another.
Forgiveness is the most wonderful gift that can be given — to others as well as to ourselves.
Harsh judgment, like throwing stones, equals much pain. Forgiveness is in line with God’s Mercy.
Since all humans are sinners, all stone-throwers are hypocrites (Romans 9:3-26).
Hypocrisy is an ugly character trait. Forgiveness is a beautiful spirit.
Being forgiven is a little like being rescued from quicksand.
Unforgiveness is like a ball and chain for both the unforgiver and the unforgiven. It makes it very difficult to go forward.
Forgiveness is like a seed that can blossom very quickly into a magnificent bouquet of flowers.
Sinners behaving sinfully commit all sin, and every act outside of God’s Will is an act of sin.
In the earthly realm, unforgiveness amongst loved ones is the most painful unforgiveness of all.
Our Heavenly Father can instantly forgive us of our sins when we confess to Him with a repentant heart. It is we humans who are not always clear on the concept of true forgiveness.
The more judgmental a person becomes, the more miserable that person will also become. I know this from observation and from personal experience.
Unforgiveness opens the door to many miseries. Forgiveness opens the door to a host of glorious wonders.
The sin of unrelenting arrogance, which also might cause that person to be unwilling to forgive, is one sin that may cause a man to disappear beneath the quicksand.
We live in a fallen world that is filled with sin and temptations to sin. Praise the Lord for sending the Holy Spirit to inspire us to higher ground.
If every single person in the world were to forgive every other person in the world for everything, all at once, and really mean it, a lot of newspapers would go out of business.
We need to ask ourselves a question in regard to forgiveness. Are we only partially forgiving someone, or are we offering complete forgiveness?
Jesus set the example while on the cross at Calvary when He forgave the ones who had just beaten Him so badly that He could barely walk, and then nailed Him to the cross to die. He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
Forgiveness is a boarding pass for the heaven-bound train.
Forgiveness is free. Forgiveness is also freeing.
Forgiveness sets free both the forgiver and the forgiven.
Mercy, Grace, Forgiveness, and Salvation are eternal gifts from our Awesome Creator. Heaven will be filled with those who forgive and those who have been forgiven.
The ball and chain called unforgiveness need a key.
That key is forgiveness.
If you have read these words about forgiveness and have not asked the Lord to forgive you, please do so today. He wants to forgive you and bless you with eternal life. Believe in Jesus who died for your sins and my sins and then was raised from the dead. Trust in Him and join the forever family of the forgiven.
Forgiven in the name of Jesus,
Rick Segoine
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